99designs Relocates Global HQ to Melbourne

Melbourne

24 Oct 2017

99designs, the world’s largest online graphic design marketplace, has announced the relocation of its global headquarters back to its hometown Melbourne, with CEO Patrick Lewellyn also returning from the US to anchor its international growth and ready the company for a possible IPO on the Australian Securities Exchange.

Since launching in 2008, 99designs has grown into an international success story with operations in Melbourne, Oakland (USA) and Berlin. The company has helped over 400,000 businesses across the globe find and hire a graphic designer online, with a new design uploaded to the marketplace every 1.5 seconds.

“Business is stronger than ever and it’s a great feeling to return home to where it all started almost 10 years ago. The US is still our largest market and will continue to be critical to 99designs, however strategically, in order to pave the way for 99designs’ next phase of growth and possible IPO, Melbourne is the best place for us to be headquartered right now.

“We are excited to continue investing in 99designs growth in Australia and will be looking to expand the team locally, building on its strength as our global product and engineering hub” said Patrick Llewellyn, CEO, 99designs.

Profitable and tracking to an annual revenue run rate of USD $60M, 99designs continues to enjoy solid growth, achieving a key milestone of USD $200 million in payouts to freelance designers on its platform since the company started. Much of the growth has come from an uplift in small business, agency and corporate clients accessing design services, and growth of its 1-to-1 Projects product that enables a designer and a customer to collaborate individually on the platform. This now accounts for 20% + of the company’s total revenue.

Digital agencies in particular have been a prime focus for 99designs in the past year, with the company recently introducing a specific “pro” product designed to specifically serve the needs of agency customers.

“While entrepreneurs and small businesses continue to constitute the core of our business at 99designs, sales from the agency sector is actually growing about sixty percent faster than any other type of customer,” said Llewellyn.

About 99designs

99designs is the world’s largest on-demand design marketplace, connecting a global community of freelance designers with businesses of all sizes to complete their design needs. Created by designers for designers, 99designs began with a group of designers who were competing together to create the best designs. In 2008, that friendly competition grew into a unique design marketplace that has now become the world leader in online graphic design. 99designs is changing the lives of designers around the world by providing them with an opportunity to access customers globally, to earn income, and to build their portfolios. 99designs has operations in the USA, Australia and Germany.